Looking for a quick and delicious weeknight meal that’s packed with flavor? These Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Lemon Asparagus are just what you need! Tender, bite-sized pieces of chicken breast are seasoned and cooked to perfection in a rich garlic butter sauce, paired with bright and zesty lemon asparagus. This one-pan dish is not only easy to make but also offers a delightful balance of savory, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors. Perfect for a family dinner or a simple meal for two, this recipe will quickly become a staple in your kitchen. With minimal prep and cleanup, you can have this delicious, restaurant-quality dish on the table in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients:
For the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites:
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup of butter, divided (¼ cup for searing the chicken and ¼ cup for the sauce)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons of minced garlic, separated (1 teaspoon for the chicken and 1 teaspoon for the asparagus and sauce)
- 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning or Herbes de Provence
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce, optional (e.g., Sriracha)
- ½ cup (125 ml) of reduced-sodium chicken broth.
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 tablespoon minced parsley
- Crushed red chili pepper flakes, optional
- Slices of lemon for garnish
For the Chicken Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
For the Lemon Asparagus:
- 2 bunches of asparagus, washed and trimmed.
Instructions:
- Season the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken chunks with salt, pepper, and onion powder. Toss well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the seasoning.
- Cook the Chicken Bites:
- Heat ¼ cup of butter and 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned chicken bites to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is golden and cooked through. Stir occasionally to brown the chicken evenly on all sides.
- Add 1 teaspoon of minced garlic and Italian seasoning (or Herbes de Provence) to the skillet and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. If using, add the hot sauce at this point.
- Remove the chicken bites from the skillet and set them aside on a plate, leaving the garlic butter sauce in the skillet.
- Cook the Asparagus:
- In the same skillet, add the remaining ¼ cup of butter. Once melted, add the remaining 1 teaspoon of minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the trimmed asparagus to the skillet and sauté for 4-5 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender-crisp. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Make the Lemon Garlic Sauce:
- Pour the low-sodium chicken broth into the skillet with the asparagus, and add the juice of ½ lemon. Stir to combine and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is slightly reduced and the asparagus is tender.
- Return the chicken bites to the skillet and toss them in the lemon garlic sauce, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until everything is heated through.
- Serve:
- Transfer the chicken bites and asparagus to a serving platter. Garnish with minced parsley, crushed red chili pepper flakes (if using), and slices of lemon.
- Serve immediately with your favorite side dishes, such as rice, pasta, or a fresh salad.
Conclusion:
This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Lemon Asparagus recipe is a quick and delicious one-pan meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. The tender chicken bites, combined with the zesty and slightly spicy asparagus, make for a dish that’s bursting with flavor. The rich garlic butter sauce ties everything together beautifully, creating a meal that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re looking for a healthy dinner option or a satisfying meal to share with friends and family, this recipe is a winner. Try it out tonight and enjoy a delicious, restaurant-quality meal right at home!
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Lemon Asparagus: A Flavorful One-Pan Dinner
Ingredients
- For the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites:
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup of butter divided (¼ cup for searing the chicken and ¼ cup for the sauce)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons of minced garlic separated (1 teaspoon for the chicken and 1 teaspoon for the asparagus and sauce)
- 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning or Herbes de Provence
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce optional (e.g., Sriracha)
- ½ cup 125 ml of reduced-sodium chicken broth.
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 tablespoon minced parsley
- Crushed red chili pepper flakes optional
- Slices of lemon for garnish
- For the Chicken Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- For the Lemon Asparagus:
- 2 bunches of asparagus washed and trimmed.
Instructions
- Season the Chicken:
- o In a large bowl, combine the chicken chunks with salt, pepper, and onion powder. Toss well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the seasoning.
- Cook the Chicken Bites:
- o Heat ¼ cup of butter and 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- o Add the seasoned chicken bites to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is golden and cooked through. Stir occasionally to brown the chicken evenly on all sides.
- o Add 1 teaspoon of minced garlic and Italian seasoning (or Herbes de Provence) to the skillet and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. If using, add the hot sauce at this point.
- o Remove the chicken bites from the skillet and set them aside on a plate, leaving the garlic butter sauce in the skillet.
- Cook the Asparagus:
- o In the same skillet, add the remaining ¼ cup of butter. Once melted, add the remaining 1 teaspoon of minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- o Add the trimmed asparagus to the skillet and sauté for 4-5 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender-crisp. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Make the Lemon Garlic Sauce:
- o Pour the low-sodium chicken broth into the skillet with the asparagus, and add the juice of ½ lemon. Stir to combine and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is slightly reduced and the asparagus is tender.
- o Return the chicken bites to the skillet and toss them in the lemon garlic sauce, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until everything is heated through.
- Serve:
- o Transfer the chicken bites and asparagus to a serving platter. Garnish with minced parsley, crushed red chili pepper flakes (if using), and slices of lemon.
- o Serve immediately with your favorite side dishes, such as rice, pasta, or a fresh salad.